07 April 2017 2 Min Read

WATCH: Maimane under fire for donning bulletproof vest at #AntiZumaMarch

in Politics by Kyle Cowan
Mmusi Maimane came prepared.
Image: TMG Digital
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Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane is taking flak on social media for wearing a bullet-proof vest during anti-Jacob Zuma marches in Johannesburg on Friday.

Pictures of the vest‚ which he wore underneath his T-shirt‚ surfaced on social media and were quickly shared‚ igniting a fierce debate.

DA national spokesman Phumzile van Damme confirmed that Maimane had received threats‚ but did not want to be drawn into details about them.

  • 'If Msholozi is a criminal‚ why is he not in jail?'The ANC Youth League in KwaZulu-Natal said they will stand up for Zuma - until they replace him with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in two years' time. 

She told TMG Digital that the vest was part of “security assessments and purely a precautionary measure”.

“Yes‚ the DA leader had a bullet-proof vest on. It was a precautionary measure given security analysis provided‚” she said on Friday afternoon.

  • Sipho Pityana challenges the ANC to recall President ZumaSipho Pityana‚ the businessman leading the Save SA campaign‚ has challenged African National Congress to recall its president‚ Jacob Zuma‚ from office.  

Van Damme said the DA march was peaceful and “a beautiful expression of unity in diversity. We are proud of South Africans today”.

In response to the questions about the vest‚ Maimane told reporters outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria: “I am the father of two kids‚ a husband to one wife. It would be irresponsible of me knowing that people have threatened my life‚ not to take all the precautions I can take.”

  • ANC leaders with moral compass challenged to stand up‚ top brass blind to the truth: Anglican BishopMembers of the ANC top executive who initially repudiated President Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle were blind to the truth - which South Africans can see - of the need for a corrupt-free and stable society with a secure future. 

It is the first time threats against Maimane have been serious enough to warrant the wearing of a vest. See his explain his reason for wearing the vest here.